​The Los Angeles Lakers are in the market to sign one more player, and this addition should come from somewhere under the radar rather than another widely publicized name like Jonathan Kuminga. The team clearly needs upgrades at forward, ideally aiming to add two more players who can contribute in the playoff rotation. At the moment, the roster heavily features guards—Quentin Grimes, Austin Reaves, Luka Dončić, Collin Sexton, Bronny James, and Cameron Carr—all of whom are better suited to guard spots or ball-handling roles.
On the forward front, the Lakers currently have options such as Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jared Vanderbilt (who is reportedly on the trade block), Jake LaRavia, and second-year player Adou Thiero. In the center position, the club has made the most headway, with a starting-caliber big in Walker Kessler and the veteran presence of Kevon Looney to complement him. As of late September 2024 in El Segundo, CA, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka spoke at a press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center, underscoring the team’s ongoing evaluation and strategic planning for the upcoming season.
For a postseason rotation, Grimes, Reaves, Dončić, Sexton, Mamukelashvili, and Walker Kessler are likely to be relied upon for meaningful minutes. Thiero could emerge as a breakout candidate, and LaRavia might find a reliable role again, but the team’s need for a forward who can seamlessly defend on the perimeter remains. A forward who can fill multiple spots is valuable, especially in playoff settings where switching and versatility become critical. This is where a different profile at center—someone who can defend on the perimeter and stay light on their feet—would add a crucial dimension to the lineup.
This is precisely where mid-market or under-the-radar options come into play, particularly on the free-agent market. One potential fit is Nick Richards, a 28-year-old center standing 6’11” with the versatility to play either center or power forward. Richards has demonstrated a solid track record as a rotational big man and has shown the ability to contribute in limited minutes with efficiency. His career trajectory has included a journey from the Charlotte Hornets to the Phoenix Suns and then to the Chicago Bulls, with a steady increase in responsibilities and production since 2024. In recent seasons, Richards has averaged about 21.6 minutes, 8.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and around 0.9 blocks per game, showcasing his ability to impact the game with energy, rebounding, and interior defense.
Richards’ evolution mirrors the profile of a reliable backup big who can guard on the perimeter when needed and switch effectively, while still providing interior presence. He embodies the kind of “energy big” archetype that can thrive in a system with multiple creators, where his role is defined and focused. A player of Richards’ quality would be a valuable minimum-salary addition, particularly if the Lakers are able to sign Kuminga and still maintain cap flexibility. A smart move would be to secure Richards on a short-term deal at the minimum, ensuring the team retains financial flexibility for future moves while adding a proven, versatile big to lighten the load on Kessler and Looney.
In short, the Lakers’ strategic objective is clear: add another forward with defensive versatility and perimeter awareness, backed by a backup center who can defend on the perimeter and stay mobile. Richards fits that mold, offering a modern big-man profile who can contribute substantive minutes without requiring heavy utilization. If Pelinka can pull off this addition alongside Kuminga, the Lakers could solidify their depth and create a more balanced rotation that thrives in high-stakes playoff environments.